Before sites like LinkedIn existed, finding a good job meant going door-to-door and asking every store or restaurant for an application. For all you Gen Zs out there, this was called ‘pounding the pavement’. After filling out every application and handing each one in (in person), people would wait a few days, then call and see if their application had been looked at. That phone call would incentivize employers to dig up that piece of paper because it showed dedication and seriousness.
This might not apply to most industries anymore, but far too many actors are taking a similar approach to their own work. They’ll seek out any and every role, audition anywhere they get the chance, and are expected to show gratitude when a part is presented to them (even if they don’t want it or it doesn’t match their brand). That approach can stagnate your career at best. At worst, it can end your acting career altogether.
Finding Consistent Work as an Actor Is Hard
Being a working actor isn’t the hard part, it’s finding the right work to stay employed that’s tough. Actors are frequently at the mercy of whatever work their agents or managers present to them. Scripts won’t start magically dropping onto your lap, no matter how talented you are.
For the actors who don’t know where to look or what to look for, desperation is all too common. Actors should never pursue roles out of fear. They should do so because they genuinely want to be on set, because they enjoy performing.
There’s a difference between consistently working and having consistent work. Consistently working is the worst case scenario, taking any and every role you can – no matter how exhausting it becomes. When an actor has consistent work, it means that they know how to access opportunities which align with their natural gifts and their brand. Other people are familiar with their brand, and they know when to approach them with a role. Those roles might not be readily available 24/7, but independent working actors never worry about a shortage of work.
Even the Best Gigs Are Unreliable
Let’s say you get cast as a guest star on a show that’s perfect for your brand. Your performance is so well-received that you’re elevated to supporting cast member, and become a series regular. Critics are impressed, you’re becoming a fan favorite, and you’ve even got a few Tumblr accounts dedicated to your character.
Then the show comes to an end.
Now what?
If you play the game right, you can leverage that performance to establish long-term relationships which will open new doors to you in the future. The keywords there are, of course, ‘in the future’. Even A-listers have to audition and prove that they’re right for the part. No one is denying their talent, but they need to fit in.
TV shows can last for years. Movies on the other hand? Once that’s over, the job hunt begins again. All good things come to an end, as they say, and that definitely applies to actors. Working actors capable of exercising independence can create work for themselves until another role comes along, though. They’re not immediately scrambling to find something new.
If You Aren’t Working, You Might Become Irrelevant
Whether you’re an A-lister or a D-lister, if you’re out of the limelight for too long you risk being forgotten. That fear can drive actors, especially newcomers and actors whose careers are fizzling out, to take whatever roles they can. Taking every gig you can is harmful to your career, no matter how nice the paychecks are. That unbalanced portfolio can make it harder for you to find good work in the future. Difficulty finding work means less work. And less work means…
You get the idea.
Now, that doesn’t mean not having any roles for a while means your career is permanently in the gutter. You’re going to have a harder time re-entering the market without a solid brand. Your brand facilitates connecting with the people who need you on their set. Long gaps between gigs also lead to outdated headshots and demo reels, and lacking those assets can make things more difficult for you. If you find an agent to do all of the heavy lifting, then you’re back to where you started- depending on someone else.
What Can Actors Do When They Aren’t Working?
Earlier I mentioned that working actors have the ability to create opportunities for themselves. This typically means making short form content for themselves or just for fun. It can also mean having a side-hustle, namely a production company. Independence and creativity are muscles that need to be flexed in order to stay strong. Those actors might not be performing in a production at the moment, but they never stop creating. That’s what sets them apart from the rest, and how they make opportunities for themselves. For them it’s not just about the work, it’s about the passion and the love of storytelling.
Do you want to channel your inner storyteller? Come check out our online actor career development community to learn how actors can share their stories with the world!